According to the CDC, there was a total of 3,855,500 births in the United States in 2017. Despite many advancements in modern medicine, many parents are choosing to go back in time by using Ayurvedic remedies instead.
Ayurvedic treatments consider the new mom’s needs.
Many mothers have used Ayurvedic methods, which offer one of the world’s most ancient medicinal practices. Childbirth takes its toll. With this guide, you can use these tried and true practices to benefit your body’s healing.
Keep reading to learn how you can use Ayurvedic remedies as part of your own post-natal care plan.
Why You Need Postpartum Care
After childbirth, your Vata Dosha becomes disrupted.
Your Vata Dosha is responsible for movement and change throughout your life and in your body. Without it, we would never experience progress in our lives.
In our bodies, Vata is activated through:
- Elimination
- Muscle movement
- Heartbeats
- Nervous system activity
- Circulation
- Though processes
Childbirth is a major change, meaning your Vata increases and changes, too.
Think about the empty space your baby leaves behind in your womb after they’re born. With Ayurvedic remedies, you can offset that change.
After your baby is born, you might experience a Vata imbalance. The signs of this imbalance are:
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Fear
- Confusion
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Pained joints
- Psychosis
- Shakiness
Your baby might experience a Vata imbalance, too. You might recognize the signs if your baby has:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Colic
- Trembling
You can avoid these symptoms in both you and your baby with a little Ayurvedic care. Think of it as postpartum healing. Other benefits of Ayurvedic remedies include:
- A reduced chance of postpartum depression
- Healthier digestion
- Stronger immunity
- Stronger health supply
- Faster rejuvenation
- Increased energy
Your health impacts your baby’s health as well. In fact, your happiness could influence your baby’s fussiness, too.
Now that you know why Ayurvedic practices are important, let’s create a care plan for you and your little one.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Mom and Baby
Try using these Ayurvedic remedies for the first 42 days after your baby is born. During this time, you can focus on healing and bonding with your baby. These practices even improve your recovery time, so you can get back to your family.
Dinacharya
Your dinacharya is your daily routine. After your baby is born, your routine is likely to change. Your attention will often shift to responding to your baby’s need.
During this time, you’re also learning how to adapt to your role as a new parent.
Make sure to take a little time for yourself. The smallest requests, such as having someone hold your baby while you take a bath, will help you balance your previous tasks with new responsibilities.
Before breastfeeding, focus on you. Try a simple, short meditation session to ground yourself. Take deep breaths, too.
During these meditations, take an inventory of your needs. Are you short on sleep or feeling achy? Try to give time to your body’s needs as well as the baby’s.
A few weeks after the baby is born, you can also take short walks with your baby.
Simple exercises and a healthy lifestyle are important to your healing process.
Again, make sure to pay attention to your body’s responses. Don’t overexert yourself.
You can also:
- Sleep with an eye pillow and scarf around the head and ears
- Apply Brahmi oil to the top of your head each morning
- Use prana hand mudras
- Avoid extreme smells, sounds, or environmental changes
These Ayurvedic treatments help you focus on your needs and the baby’s needs.
Ayurvedic Diet
Focus on nourishing food sources. For an Ayurvedic diet, these include:
- Ghee
- White basmati rice
- Cooked vegetables
- Split mung beans
- A variety of grain and legumes
- Dates
- Organic whole milk
Make sure to sip warm water throughout the day. You need to remain hydrated to fuel your body for the day ahead.
Dry, raw, or crunchy foods are best in moderation or avoided entirely.
Instead, prioritize the grains and vegetables as the majority of your meal. These foods can support the healing process and your body’s milk production.
For a healthy Ayurvedic diet, try to avoid canned or spicey foods. You should also take care to avoid unnecessary drugs, which you could excrete through your breastmilk.
Remember, what you eat passes on to your baby.
A mixture of herbs and almond milk can help with lactation. Soak 10 almonds in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, peel and blend them.
Then, add hot milk ginger powder, saffron, cardamom, and date sugar to the mix.
Tea
A cup of steaming hot tea can give your body a boost, too.
Consider dashamula tea, which tones muscle tissue and nourishes the body. It also corrects the flow of energy to flush out urine and feces. Drink half a cup in the morning, saving the other half for the evening.
Supplements
A mix of herbs and/or minerals, churna is an important component of these Ayurvedic remedies. A few examples include:
- Fennel, which supports lactation and digestion
- Bhringaraj, which aids emotional release
- Shatavari, which benefits the reproductive system
- Ashwagandha, which supports sleep, energy levels, and reduces stress
You can add these herbs to a cup of tea or take them as supplements if needed.
Abhyanga
You can also plan a daily abhyanga or a self-oil postnatal massage.
You can perform this massage on your own or with a partner. Daily abhyanga for you and the baby will help the two of you bond. It also helps ground the newborn with nourishment and nurturing attention.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Mommy and Me
Your little bundle of joy deserves every ounce of love you can give them. With these powerful, rejuvenating Ayurvedic remedies, you can regain your strength and step into the role of motherhood stronger than ever.
Check out our directory for more helpful, healthy mom tips and resources as you navigate through motherhood.
